ἀξίνας. In Xen. Anab. 1.5.12 the “ἀξίνη” is used by one who is “ξύλασχίζων”. Here it has usually been supposed that the “ἀξῖναι” were to cut wood for the burning of the corpse. But no regular “πυρά” was made; the remains of the corpse were burned with “νεοσπάδεςθαλλοί”, branches freshly plucked from the trees in the plain (1201). On the other hand, some implement was needed to raise the “τύμβοςὀρθόκρανος” of earth (1203). It seems, then, as if Soph. referred to some kind of axe which could serve like the “γενῄς” of v. 249 (n.). No tool was used to break open Antigone's tomb; the stones were dragged away (1216).

Sophocles: The Plays and Fragments, with critical notes, commentary, and translation in English prose. Part III: The Antigone. Sir Richard C. Jebb. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press. 1900.

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